The Indianapolis Colts have started several talented rookie quarterbacks. Could any rookie QB franchise records be threatened by Anthony Richardson?
Indianapolis Colts rookie QB Anthony Richardson has his mind set on greatness, but how soon into his professional career before that aspiration can start its way into becoming a reality? Only time will tell of course, but there are some rookie quarterback records in Indy that Anthony Richardson will likely be in the back of his mind.
Regardless of when Richardson's playing days officially begin, his never-satisfied mindset leads us to believe that he'll want to achieve every milestone and accolade that's available as soon as he's able to step on the field. There are obviously grander personal achievements to be had, however, for this article, we'll be keeping it in-house with team records. From the good to the bad, there are always records to be broken. So without further ado, let's dive into it.
Colts rookie passing records
Although there is an extra game nowadays, Richardson would likely have to start from Week 1 through the entirety of the 2023 season to even give himself a chance at breaking the Colts' rookie passing yards record.
Richardson is known as a dual-threat quarterback, but unlike most QBs with that title, he doesn't really favor one side of his game. He can do both well, really well, but in terms of willingness and/or ability of both, Richardson is ready for whatever you ask of him.
If head coach Shane Steichen decides that he'd like Richardson to become a pass-first kind of QB, which would be unforeseen, then chances for this record being broken are increased, but not by much. Only six NFL QBs last season threw for more than Luck did in 2012, so with it being even more of a passing league in 2023, Richardson would indeed have to take the league by storm as a mere rookie.
The passing touchdowns record is surely more doable on the forefront than that of the yards record. Regardless, 26 touchdowns as a rookie is a historical feat in any year. The NFL record for most passing TDs in a season for a rookie is 31, and that only recently became the record.
It is important to note that the beholder of the NFL rookie QB passing touchdowns record is Chargers' Justin Herbert and his illustrious rookie campaign was done in just 15 games under the tutelage of who other than league-renowned QB guru and Colts head coach Shane Steichen.
The previously mentioned record being broken as of recent would hold additional merit if it happened during either of the past two seasons when the 17-game season was implemented, but it was actually in 2020. If Richardson starts all 17 games in 2023, there's certainly a better shot to break the record, but with an expected balanced attack from Richardson, chances are slim.
Colts rookie passing records (Cont.)
The biggest knock on Anthony Richardson as a prospect was centered around his completion percentage that sat at an uninspiring 53.8%. It's a warranted concern to have if you're merely sifting through stat sheets, but as always, one statistic never tells the whole story.
Richardson only has his lone sopohmore campaign to consider, which lies a separate problem. Not for Richardson, but for the naysayers. It's an incredibly small sample size with a bunch of moving parts (scheme change, youth, etc.), growing pains are to be expected.
Asking Richardson to unlock his full potential in year one is among the tallest of tasks, but if he can improve on his completion percentage organically by three percent, Indianapolis will have a new record holder.
Despite leading the league in interceptions his rookie year, Manning was fifth in the league in passing touchdowns and third in yards. Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence similarly led the league in INTs as a rookie in 2021, however, even with the modern day game being more of a passer's league, he only threw 17 INTs and 2022's interception leader only threw 15– that's with a 17-game season as well.
Even if Anthony Richardson manages to lead the league in interceptions as a rookie, chances are he won't surpass 20, let alone take the throne in Colts’ history as most INTs thrown as a rookie with 29 (or more).
When you consider how balanced of a quarterback Richardson is, there's even more of a case against this hypothetical record breaking come to fruition due to him being inevitably used as a runner more than your typical NFL QB. Not to mention, it's still up in the air when exactly Richardson's career as a starting QB will begin.
Colts rookie quarterback rushing records
Richardson is almost expected to break one, if not both, of the rushing records in the Colts record books. Although Andrew Luck was a top-tier athlete, his play-style only leaned on the ground game when it was either called upon, or absolutely necessary.
Richardson on the other hand, is a payload waiting to be catapulted into the end zone, regardless of distance. There's a good shot Richardson breaks off a handful of runs that go for 20+ yards. Out of any rookie QB record, the rushing yards record may just be the most likely to be broken, and it could be done in half a season's worth of games.
Luck's five rushing touchdowns mainly came from the goal line, or within the red zone at most, whereas Anthony Richardson has that Jonathan Taylor takeoff ability. Not only will Richardson also be used in those scenarios given his 6-foot-4, 244-pound frame, but his natural rushing ability will be showcased via a designed run or a scramble that will be utilized far more often than any prior Colts QBs.